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Languages in Communication Glossary for IELTS

10 Communication terms

This glossary can help you prepare for the IELTS writing tasks related to the Languages in Communication.


additional language:

noun phrase

A learner of English as an additional language (EAL) is a pupil whose first language is other than English.

Example: The table illustrates the number of native speakers of six languages as well as the number of speakers of these languages as an additional language.

almost:

adverb

Not quite; very nearly.

Example: However, the number of Arabic speakers as an additional language (24 million) is almost 2.5 times higher than speakers of Portuguese as an additional language.

Chinese:

adjective

Relating to China or its language, culture, or people.

Example: It is noticeable that the number of speakers of Mandarin Chinese is strikingly higher than the other languages with over one billion speakers.

equal:

adjective

Being the same in quantity, size, degree, or value.

Example: While the total number of Hindi speakers (490 million) is roughly equal to that of Spanish speakers (420 million).

largely:

adverb

To a great extent; on the whole; mostly.

Example: People who speak Mandarin largely speak it as a first language (900 million).

Mandarin:

noun

The standard literary and official form of Chinese, spoken by over 730 million people.

Example: People who speak Mandarin largely speak it as a first language (900 million).

native speaker:

noun phrase

A person who learned to speak the language of the place where he or she was born as a child rather than learning it as a foreign language.

Example: The table illustrates the number of native speakers of six languages.

noticeable:

adjective

Having a resemblance in appearance, character, or quantity, without being identical.

Example: It is noticeable that the number of speakers of Mandarin Chinese is strikingly higher than the other languages with over one billion speakers.

respectively:

adverb

Separately or individually and in the order already mentioned (used when enumerating two or more items or facts that refer back to a previous statement).

Example: Native speakers of Arabic and Portuguese are similar in number with 206 million and 203 million respectively.

roughly:

adverb

In a manner lacking gentleness; harshly or violently.

Example: While the total number of Hindi speakers (490 million) is roughly equal to that of Spanish speakers (420 million).

similar:

adjective

Having a resemblance in appearance, character, or quantity, without being identical.

Example: Native speakers of Arabic and Portuguese are similar in number with 206 million and 203 million respectively.

strikingly:

adverb

In a way that attracts attention by reason of being unusual, extreme, or prominent.

Example: It is noticeable that the number of speakers of Mandarin Chinese is strikingly higher than the other languages with over one billion speakers.

additional language:

noun phrase

A learner of English as an additional language (EAL) is a pupil whose first language is other than English.

Example: The table illustrates the number of native speakers of six languages as well as the number of speakers of these languages as an additional language.

almost:

adverb

Not quite; very nearly.

Example: However, the number of Arabic speakers as an additional language (24 million) is almost 2.5 times higher than speakers of Portuguese as an additional language.

Chinese:

adjective

Relating to China or its language, culture, or people.

Example: It is noticeable that the number of speakers of Mandarin Chinese is strikingly higher than the other languages with over one billion speakers.

equal:

adjective

Being the same in quantity, size, degree, or value.

Example: While the total number of Hindi speakers (490 million) is roughly equal to that of Spanish speakers (420 million).

largely:

adverb

To a great extent; on the whole; mostly.

Example: People who speak Mandarin largely speak it as a first language (900 million).

Mandarin:

noun

The standard literary and official form of Chinese, spoken by over 730 million people.

Example: People who speak Mandarin largely speak it as a first language (900 million).

native speaker:

noun phrase

A person who learned to speak the language of the place where he or she was born as a child rather than learning it as a foreign language.

Example: The table illustrates the number of native speakers of six languages.

noticeable:

adjective

Having a resemblance in appearance, character, or quantity, without being identical.

Example: It is noticeable that the number of speakers of Mandarin Chinese is strikingly higher than the other languages with over one billion speakers.

respectively:

adverb

Separately or individually and in the order already mentioned (used when enumerating two or more items or facts that refer back to a previous statement).

Example: Native speakers of Arabic and Portuguese are similar in number with 206 million and 203 million respectively.

roughly:

adverb

In a manner lacking gentleness; harshly or violently.

Example: While the total number of Hindi speakers (490 million) is roughly equal to that of Spanish speakers (420 million).

similar:

adjective

Having a resemblance in appearance, character, or quantity, without being identical.

Example: Native speakers of Arabic and Portuguese are similar in number with 206 million and 203 million respectively.

strikingly:

adverb

In a way that attracts attention by reason of being unusual, extreme, or prominent.

Example: It is noticeable that the number of speakers of Mandarin Chinese is strikingly higher than the other languages with over one billion speakers.

additional language:

noun phrase

A learner of English as an additional language (EAL) is a pupil whose first language is other than English.

Example: The table illustrates the number of native speakers of six languages as well as the number of speakers of these languages as an additional language.

almost:

adverb

Not quite; very nearly.

Example: However, the number of Arabic speakers as an additional language (24 million) is almost 2.5 times higher than speakers of Portuguese as an additional language.

Chinese:

adjective

Relating to China or its language, culture, or people.

Example: It is noticeable that the number of speakers of Mandarin Chinese is strikingly higher than the other languages with over one billion speakers.

equal:

adjective

Being the same in quantity, size, degree, or value.

Example: While the total number of Hindi speakers (490 million) is roughly equal to that of Spanish speakers (420 million).

largely:

adverb

To a great extent; on the whole; mostly.

Example: People who speak Mandarin largely speak it as a first language (900 million).

Mandarin:

noun

The standard literary and official form of Chinese, spoken by over 730 million people.

Example: People who speak Mandarin largely speak it as a first language (900 million).

native speaker:

noun phrase

A person who learned to speak the language of the place where he or she was born as a child rather than learning it as a foreign language.

Example: The table illustrates the number of native speakers of six languages.

noticeable:

adjective

Having a resemblance in appearance, character, or quantity, without being identical.

Example: It is noticeable that the number of speakers of Mandarin Chinese is strikingly higher than the other languages with over one billion speakers.

respectively:

adverb

Separately or individually and in the order already mentioned (used when enumerating two or more items or facts that refer back to a previous statement).

Example: Native speakers of Arabic and Portuguese are similar in number with 206 million and 203 million respectively.

roughly:

adverb

In a manner lacking gentleness; harshly or violently.

Example: While the total number of Hindi speakers (490 million) is roughly equal to that of Spanish speakers (420 million).

similar:

adjective

Having a resemblance in appearance, character, or quantity, without being identical.

Example: Native speakers of Arabic and Portuguese are similar in number with 206 million and 203 million respectively.

strikingly:

adverb

In a way that attracts attention by reason of being unusual, extreme, or prominent.

Example: It is noticeable that the number of speakers of Mandarin Chinese is strikingly higher than the other languages with over one billion speakers.

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